It is narrower than it sounds. The free charging bundled with some new EVs usually means free sessions on one named partner network, for a fixed period or up to a set amount of energy, activated through that network’s app or your car account. It does not cover other networks, your home electricity, or the parking and idle fees that can sit around a charging session.
Key Takeaways
- A bundled “free charging” offer means one partner network, for a set period or energy amount — not free charging everywhere.
- Parking, idle fees, other networks and home electricity are almost never included.
- Its value depends on your charging mix: highest for drivers without home charging, modest for home chargers.
- Read the terms for expiry, transfer and session limits before counting it in the car’s price.
What the offer usually includes — and what it does not
| Usually included | Usually not included |
|---|---|
| Sessions on the partner network, inside the time window or energy allowance | Chargers run by any other network |
| DC fast charging on that network, subject to the plan’s terms | Parking charges at the site |
| Charging started and tracked through the linked app or account | Idle fees for staying connected after the session ends |
| Home charging — your electricity bill is still yours |
Read the offer as a network promotion, not as free fuel. The moment you plug into a different operator’s charger, normal prices apply — which is one reason DC fast charging costs what it does when you are paying for it yourself.
What it is worth depends on how you charge
The drivers who gain most are those without home charging, who would otherwise pay public prices for most of their energy. If you charge at home, the plan mainly subsidises road trips. Put a ceiling on it with your own numbers: as an example, 500 kWh of partner-network charging in a year is energy that would cost about $92 at home at the US average residential price of 18.31 cents per kWh. Against public prices the same energy is worth more — but only if you would genuinely have bought it there. A plan you barely use is worth barely anything, however big the headline sounds.
The catches to read before you count it
- Expiry. The window starts on a date the terms define — often delivery or first registration — whether you use it or not.
- Transfer. Some plans stay with the first owner, others follow the car. This matters if you sell within the window.
- Session limits. Some plans cap session length or restrict back-to-back fast charges. The terms say so; the advertisement does not.
- Fair use. Commercial use is commonly excluded, and unusually heavy use can be limited.
- It ends. When the window closes, your running cost is set by your normal charging — which is why the home setup matters more than the promotion, as our comparison of charging versus petrol costs shows.
Your home base still does the heavy lifting
Most EV miles are charged where the car sleeps. The EVDANCE EV-ACT5006T 48 A wall charger (hard-wired or NEMA 14-50, 25 ft cable, IP65/IP66) covers the daily charging a bundled plan never touches, and the EV-ACS4005T 40 A portable (9.6 kW, adjustable, IP66) suits drivers who cannot install a wallbox. Both carry the standard 3-year EVDANCE warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the offer include home charging?
No. Bundled offers apply to sessions on the named public network. The electricity you use at home is billed by your own supplier as usual.
Can I use any fast charger for free?
Only chargers on the partner network named in the offer, and only while your plan is active. Other networks charge their normal prices from the first session.
Does the free period transfer when I sell the car?
It depends on the maker and network terms — some plans are tied to the first owner’s account, others to the car. Check the terms before you treat the remaining window as part of your asking price.
Related Reading
- Do EV Charging Stations Cost Money? Free vs Paid Charging Explained
- How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home?
- Will EV Charging Prices Come Down?
- How Do EV Charging Stations Work?
